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Texas Hold'em 101
by
Matthew Tuman
Betting Limits: When playing
Texas Hold'em a wide variety of limits may be used. However all limits usually adhere
to a 1:2 ratio. Betting before the flop, as well as on the flop will include 1 small lower tier, and the bets on the turn and
river will be one big, highr tier bet. So for instance, the betting limit of a game may be $1-$2, $2-$4, $100-$200, and so
on. You must bet the amount mentioned exactly. As a result, you can not bet $4 or $8 in a $5 - $10 game.
Number of Players: The game of Texas Hold'em can be played with a minimum of 2 players and a maximum of 22 players.
The most enjoyable is probably 10 and it is common for Las Vegas
rooms to play with eleven.
High Hand Wins: When playing Hold'em there are no wild cards; High hand always wins. The final poker hand is made
up of five cards.
Small Blind and Big Blind: The first 2 players to the left of the dealer are required to contribute money into the pot before
the cardsa re dealt. This is used to force action from these players. The big blind is always the same as the small bet, and
the small blind is always half of the big blind. For example, in
a $10-$20 game, the player to the immediate left of the dealer puts $5 into the pot, which is the small blind. The player to
the immediate left of the small blind puts in $10, or the big blind.
Due to the inclusion of the two blinds, there is no anti in Texas Hold'em.
Play of the Game:
Initial two cards: Each player is dealt two cards facing down. These cards are the pocket cards and are not to be shown to any
other player. Starting with the player to the immediate left of the big blind and moving clockwise, each player can either fold,
call, or raise by increasing the bet by an amount of at least as
much as the previous bet. If no one has raised by the time the action returns to the small blind, he can either fold, match the
remainder of the big blind (if the small blind was $5 the player
must either fold or put in another $5 to match the $10 big blind). Since the blinds had to put their money in the pot
before seeing their hands, they have the option of raising themselves. If no one has raised by the time the action gets
back to the big blind he can either raise or check.
The Flop: After the first round of betting, the dealer burns (removes it from play) the top card, and turns the next 3 cards
face up. This is the flop. There is another round of betting in which players may check(pass play on to the next player without
betting). Once a bet is made, however, the next player must either call, raise, or fold and go out of play. This is true on
this and all future rounds.
The Turn: There is another burn, and the dealer flips a fourth, or turn card facing up. Another round of betting follows.
The River: Another burn occurs, and the fifth and final card referred to as the river card is turned face up. There is a
final round of betting according to the earlier rules.
The Showdown: All active players show their hands. Using the pocket cards and 5
cards on the board each player determines their best poker hand. High hand wins. The dealer button then
moves 1 player to the left and the new blinds are posted.
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